The once-close alliance between former President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk has dramatically unraveled in a very 21st-century fashion—through dueling social media posts. The two most powerful businessmen-turned-powerbrokers are now openly trading barbs, revealing a rift that could have significant consequences for both government contracts and the 2024 political landscape.
Trump fired the first shot on his Truth Social platform, declaring Musk “another bullshit artist” who had “begged” for government subsidies. The former president threatened to slash federal contracts for SpaceX and Tesla if re-elected, claiming this could save taxpayers “billions.” His remarks appeared calculated to undermine Musk’s carefully cultivated image as a self-made industrialist.
Within hours, Musk countered on X (formerly Twitter) with characteristic bravado: “Lol okay grandpa, show me the money.” The Tesla CEO’s sarcastic comeback—delivered to his 128 million followers—signaled his willingness to burn bridges with a man who could potentially return to the Oval Office. Industry analysts note this represents a stunning reversal from 2022, when Musk praised Trump’s leadership and hosted him at SpaceX facilities.
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